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The start of this walk is from the “Allée du Brivet” car park, opposite Intermarché, to avoid leaving your car in a blue zone. N.B. On Monday mornings, due to the market, park a little further up.
(S/E) Cross the wooden footbridge over the river and turn right to go behind the "Le Carré d'Argent" theatre. Continue along this path, which becomes a wooden walkway alongside the water. If this walkway, under the first bridge, is not flooded, or if the water level gauge (under the bridge) is not above 1.20 metres, you can continue the walk. Otherwise, turn back, as other sections will be under water.
Cross this first bridge and head up to Place Dominique David (the town hall square).
(1) Take the footbridge with the large white mast. Continue straight ahead, keeping the station on your left and the post office on your right. Stay on the right-hand pavement to follow the path reserved for pedestrians and cyclists, heading towards the viaduct.
(2) Cross the viaduct and, at the roundabout, turn right. Continue up to the next roundabout (Leclerc). Take the second exit, towards Saint-Roch. At the next roundabout, go straight on.
(3) On leaving Pontchâteau, turn right towards L'Urin. Continue straight on, passing through the villages of L'Ormois and then L'Urin. Follow the railway line until you come to a level crossing on your left.
(4) Pass it and, 50 metres on, take the path on the right. At the end, turn left, and at the stop sign, turn right.
Carry on, cross over the Besné Canal and pass through Mélo (take care on blind bends). Enter Besné after passing the Clos de l'Aunain on your left. At the roundabout, take the second exit. The small road quickly turns into a farm track. Continue to the Chapelle Saint-Second.
(5) At the chapel, continue along the same track which descends to the right. When it ends, carry straight on until you reach the junction with the Route de Besné and follow the signs for “base nautique”.
(6) Cross over and continue to cross the bridge over the road.
(7) At the exit, turn immediately right and continue along the disused railway line. The ballast stones are a bit of a nuisance, but it only lasts a few hundred metres. Look up and follow the high-voltage power line with your eyes; it crosses over and heads off to the left.
(8) If you’re visiting at the right time of year (April, May, mid-June), you can spot the stork’s nest on the EDF pylon. Immediately afterwards, cross the track and continue along the small path that runs alongside it.
(9) Make the most of the marshes to get your binoculars out. Follow this path to the sewage treatment plant. Walk along the fence of the plant and head down to the river. Cross the footbridge and continue along this path. Go under the railway line, then under the viaduct, and carry on to cross the Lavoirs car park.
(10). Cross the river and go under the railway line. You are back at Place Dominique David. To return to the car park where you started, go behind the town hall and turn right at the corner by the optician’s. You will arrive in front of the brand-new media library and the tourist information office. This renovated building is the oldest in Pontchâteau. It is thought to date from 1661. The façade and structure have been preserved. Walk up this street for 30 metres and, on your left.
(11) Cross the courtyard of the theatre. Exit to the right onto Rue du Port du Four and cross the river to return to the starting car park (S/E).
This route is very well described, so you hardly need the map.
Visorando member
Easy 
